Koren's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 1/4/01 -------------------- 12/14/00 12/7/00 11/23/00 11/15/00 11/3/00 10/27/00 10/19/00 -------------------- Koren's Introduction

January 4, 2001

Ashley may be coming home this month!

Our Christmas visit went so well, we didn’t want to return her to the airport. She’s changed so much -- even since our summer visit last August. The medication -- which she must now take to control her impulsive (obsessive/compulsive) tendencies -- seems to have helped significantly. Ashley is calmer and seems to have a better handle on her emotions.

There are still some steps before this homecoming. Ashley must receive clearance from the probation department and establish transitional counseling to ease her back into her family and school life here. Her counselor has contacted the probation department as well as her former therapist here at home to do what she can to smooth the way for Ashley’s release. If all goes well, we may see her by Jan. 20!

She seems to understand the importance of her choices. She realizes that when she makes bad choices, it really is herself that she is hurting. I hope and pray that she will make better decisions and -- with the help of the medication -- overcome her compulsion to steal.

The past year’s counseling was intensive and Ashley says that she was able to release the bad memories of her stepfather and his actions. She’s nervous, but excited about coming home. She wants a better life. She wants a second chance. We hope to help give that to her. Yet, we know, much of the work she must do herself. She’s spent the past year learning the skills needed to carve her new path. Now, we must be here to love her, encourage her and set up a structured environment.

Pray for all of us. This is joyous news, yet the journey is not over yet. (Is parenting our children ever really over? I don’t think so…)

My best wishes to you all for a Happy New Year!

Koren